Michigan

Thousands of people walk the five-mile long Mackinac Bridge, Monday, Sept. 2, 2002, as part of the 45th annual Labor Day Bridge Walk. The day is the only time pedestrians are allowed on the span, which connects Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas.
((AP Photo | John L. Russell))

Thousands of people walk south from St. Ignace across the five-mile Mackinac Bridge Monday, Sept. 5th, 2005 during the 48th annual event. For the third year in 2014, walkers are invited to share memories of this year or previous year's walks. One such sharer will win a once-in-a-lifetime tour to the top of the Mackinac Bridge.AP Photo | John L. Russell

ST. IGNACE, MI — Every Labor Day since 1958, the Mackinac Bridge Walk draws tens of thousands to take a unique journey across the monumental five-mile span that links Michigan's two peninsulas.

Walkers are being invited to share memories of the bridge walk through social media. As an incentive, the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Mackinac Bridge Authority are offering a once-in-a-lifetime tour to the top of the bridge to one lucky person sharing memories of the walk.

Today through Monday, Sept. 8, those interested in participating can post memories of walking the bridge, either this year or in a previous year, on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #MightyMacWalk14.

Memories also can be posted on MDOT's Facebook page to be entered into the contest, and can include photos or videos.

One such entry will be chosen at random. The winner will receive a tour for two to the top of the bridge, courtesy of the Mackinac Bridge Authority.

A free gift pack of Pure Michigan merchandise donated by the Michigan Economic Development Corp. will be awarded to the person who travels the furthest to walk the bridge this year and shares their memory with MDOT.

MDOT employees and their families are not eligible for either prize, but are encouraged to participate.

Last year, Rachel Baldwin from the Remus area had her photo chosen at random to win a free tour of the Mackinac Bridge, while Lisa Hensel from Parker, Colorado, won the Pure Michigan prize pack for traveling the furthest to walk the bridge.

The entire "story" of last year's bridge walk promotion can be seen on MDOT's 2013 Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk Storify page: